Frameless shelf and feeding apparatus for beverage refrigerators

ABSTRACT

A shelf or rack for mounting horizontally in a refrigerator in order to store and feed beer, soft drinks, wine, milk and other beverages and foods in containers, and which is formed by the combination of a lattice and a grating. The shelf or rack is characterized by the absence of a perimeter frame, and by the presence of rods which are connected in truss relationship, the result being that the frame is strong and lightweight and may be readily cut down in size in order to fit the requirements of various refrigerator installations. Spring-reel devices are provided and connected to cords in order to effect forward feeding of the containers, such spring reels being mounted on the shelf in the absence of any welded connections. Actuating means provided at the ends of the cords are adapted to effect automatic lubrication of the slide portions of the shelves, and also to wipe such slide portions in order to remove moisture therefrom.

United States Patent {72] lnventors JohnKlassen Midway City; Ora Lee Miner, Santa Ana, Calif. [21] Appl. No. 807,674 [22] Filed Mar. 17, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 16, 1971 [73] Assignee said Ora L. Miner, assignor to said John Klassen Midway City, Calif.

[54] FRAMELESS SHELF AND FEEDING APPARATUS FOR BEVERAGE REFRIGERATORS 13 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 211/49 [51] Int. Cl A47f 7/00 [50] Field of Search 211/49; 221/129; 312/45, 71, 62

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS,

2,085,479 6/ 1 937 Shaffer 312/62 2,110,299 3/1938 Hinkle 211/49 2,111,496 3/1938 Scriba 211/49 2,750,049 6/1956 Hunter 21 1/49 2,934,212 4/ 1 960 Jacobson 21 l /49 3,018,149 1/1962 Parker 312/45 3,028,014 4/1962 Southwick.... 2] H49 3,083,067 3/1963 VOS 21l/49X 3,110,402 11/1963 Mogulescu 21 1/49 3,161,295 12/1964 CheSley...,..... 211/49 3,166,195 1/1965 Taber Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, .lr Att0rney-Gausewitz and Carr ABSTRACT: A shelf or rack for mounting horizontally in a refrigerator in order to store and feed beer, soft drinks, wine, milk and other beverages and foods in containers, and which is formed by the combination of a lattice and a grating. The shelf or rack is characterized by the absence of a perimeter frame,

and by the presence of rods which are connected in truss rela- 1 tionship, the result being that the frame is strong and lightweight and may be readily cut down in size in order to fit the requirements of various refrigerator installations. Springreel devices are provided and connected to cords in order to effect forward feeding of the containers, such spring reels being mounted on the shelf in the absence of any welded connections. Actuating means provided at the ends of the cords are adapted to effect automatic lubrication of the slide portions of the shelves, and also to wipe such slide portions in order to remove moisture therefrom.

FRAMELESS SHELF AND FEEDING APPARATUS FOR BEVERAGE REFRIGERATORS CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION This invention constitutes an improvement on the apparatus claimed in copending patent application for a Storage and Feeding Rack or Shelf for Refrigerating Beverage Containers, filed on even date herewith, inventor Ora Lee Miner.

BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of storage and feeding devices for containers of beverages and foods.

2. Description of the Prior Art Refrigerator shelves present in the prior art, and which are adapted to support heavy loads such as large numbers of sixpacks of beer, are generally characterized by the presence of relatively strong and heavy perimeter frames of predetermined size. Such perimeter frames are highly disadvantageous, particularly in replacement shelves for various types and sizes of refrigerators such as are employed in liquor stores, supermarkets, etc. For example, it frequently occurs that a previously manufactured shelf must be made narrower in order to fit a particular door size in the refrigerator. Such narrowing is impossible or impractical where perimeter frames are employed. Furthermore, perimeter frames are inherently expensive, and substantially increase the manufactur ing cost of the overall product.

Spring-reel feeding devices employed in the prior art are normally permanently secured to the structure in which storage and feeding are effected. Not only does this require separate manufacturing steps, with attendant additional expense, but it makes replacement or repair of defective or wornout spring reels less simple to perform. There therefore exists a need for a spring reel and shelf combination which may be rapidly assembled and disassembled in the absence of welds, fasteners, etc.

It has been found that the problem of maintaining a relatively low-friction relationship between the shelves and the heavy beverage containers stored thereon may be a major one. For example, where several six-packs of beer are double-decked on a shelf, and where a number of such double-decked sixpacks are stored in a row, the inertia which must be overcome is so great that any substantial friction between the six-packs and the underlying slide portions of the shelf may render the construction inoperative. The problem is compounded by the fact that long-continued engagement between heavy containers and the supporting shelf portions may result in cold set or sticking, so that an initial breakaway pressure is necessary before feeding will occur. There exists a need for a very simple, inexpensive and foolproof means for lubricating the slide portions of the refrigerator shelves in order to minimize friction, eliminate moisture (with consequent danger of a freeze bond), and reduce greatly the possibility of sticking and cold set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION the present invention comprises a lattice of rods, adapted to provide slide elements, in combination with truss rods or bars which create the requisite strength and rigidity in the absence of a peripheral or perimeter frame. Such truss rods or bars are spaced laterally away from each other, or from related portions of the lattice, in order that one truss element will be under compression while another is under tension, the result being that a high degree of strength is created with a minimum of material. In addition to the lattice, the invention comprises a grating the individual elements of which form rails which separate adjacent rows of containers.

' Various ones of the lattice rods are adapted to receive between them the frames of spring-reel assemblies, such assemblies including ears or lugs which bend upwardly in order to permit mounting thereof. In order to either mount or remove the frame for a spring-reel element it is merely necessary to bend one or more of the lugs through an angle of 90.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the actuator elements which are connected to the ends of the cords have mounted thereon lubricating and wiping means, and such cords operate automatically to effect downward pressure between such lubricating and wiping means and the underlying slide rods. Accordingly, friction is minimized and moisture removed without need for any conscious effort on the part of the stock clerk who loads the shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator shelf or rack constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, and illustrating the parts in the conditions they would be in if rows of six-packs were mounted on the shelf, such sixpacks being unshown;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the refrigerator shelf construction, indicating the six-packs in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the showing of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a rear end elevation as viewed from station 4-4 indicated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 5-5 6-FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on line 6- 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the showing of FIG. 6; p

FIG. 8 is a perspective view corresponding generally to FIG. I but illustrating a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8, illustrating rows of individual beverage bottles in phantom lines;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the showing of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the showing of FIG. I0.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Throughout this specification and claims, the word longitudinal is employed to denote a direction parallei to the direction of feeding of the containers stored on-the shelves, such direction being perpendicular to the plane of the door of the refrigerator. The word lateral is employed to denote a horizontal direction transverse or perpendicular to such longitudinal direction, that is to say, a horizontal direction generally parallel to the plane of the refrigerator door.

Proceeding first to a description of the first embodiment, FIGS. I7, inclusive, the first element of the refrigerator shelf is a lattice formed by longitudinal rods 10 and lateral rods 11. The longitudinal rods 10 are disposed above lateral rods 11 in the lattice, permitting the rods 10 to act as slides for six-packs of beer, for example. Longitudinal and lateral rods 10 and 11 are secured together, as a preassembly operation by spot welding (electrical-resistance spot welding).

The front lateral rod (closest to the door of the refrigerator) is denoted Ila, whereas the rear lateral rod (farthest from the refrigerator door) is denoted llb. Such front and rear rods 11a and 11b are shown as being somewhat longer, and somewhat larger in diameter, than the remaining rods. The rods 111a and llb are adapted to be supported on suitable mounting means, not shown, in the refrigerator storage compartment. Preferably, but not necessarily, all of the rods employed in the present construction are circular in cross-sectional shape.

Truss rods are provided to increase the strength and rigidity of the rack or shelf. In the illustrated construction, there are two longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13 and one lateral truss rod 14. The longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13 are spaced inwardly from the outermost ones of slide rods 10.

In the illustrated example, the ends of the longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13 are spot welded to the upper surface of front lateral rod 111a at regions respectively adjacent the front ends of inwardly spaced ones of slide rods if). Truss rods I2 and 13 then benddownwardly and pass (FIG. 3) beneath the lateral rod 11 which is closest to front lateral rod 11a. The truss rods then pass, beneath the remaining lateral rods, to the rear lateral rod Mb. The truss rods are spot welded to the undersides of all lateral rods beneath which they pass.

The lateral truss rod 14 has upwardly inclined end portions which are spot welded (FIG. 4) to the end regions of rear lateral rod 11b. Inwardly of such end portions, rod 14 extends beneath the ends of the longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13. The truss rod 14 lies generally in the same vertical plane as the rear lateral rod 1 lb.

The described trussing relationship creates great strength with minimum weight. For example, and referring the FIG. 4, it is pointed out that the lateral truss rod 14 is spaced vertically away from the rear lateral rod 11b of the lattice, such spacing being efi'ected by the ends of longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13. Because of such vertical spacing between rods 11b and 14, rods 14 will be in tension should the shelf tend to sag, whereas rod 11b will be in compression, thus creating maximum strength and rigidity.

A similar condition occurs relative to the longitudinal truss rods 12 and 13. Such rods are (for example as shown in FIG. 3) spaced beneath adjacent ones of the slide rods 10, being spaced therefrom by regions of lateral lattice rods 11. In addition, rods 12 and 13 respectively in or adjacent vertical planes containing longitudinal slide rods 10. Thus, should the shelf tend to sag, the truss rods 12 and 13 will be in tension, whereas the slide rods 10 thereabove will be in compression, this again creating the high-strength truss relationship desired.

The next element of the refrigerator rack or shelf is a grating formed by a plurality of parallel longitudinal rods 16 which are connected to each other by means of front and rear lateral rods 17 and 18, respectively. The ends of rods 16 are spot welded to the rods 17 and 18. Longitudinal rods 16 are disposed substantially above lateral rods 17 and 18, and may be referred to as rail rods since they form rails or guides which are adapted to have rows of six-packs nested therebetween.

The six-packs (or eight-packs) are indicated in phantom lines at 19 in FIGS. 2-5. In the illustrated shelf, the six-packs 19 are oriented with their axes parallel to the lateral rods, but it is to be understood that in some shelf constructions the sixpacks are oriented with their axes parallel to the longitudinal rods. The six-packs 19 may be referred to as containers The grating formed by longitudinal rods 16 and lateral rods 17 and I8 is preassembled together. by spot welding. Thereafter, the grating is spot welded to the lattice, the relationship being such that the front lateral rod 17 is (FIG. directly above the front lateral rod 11a of the lattice. However, in the illustrated construction, the rear lateral rod 18 is not directly above rod 11b but instead is spaced rearwardly therefrom, this being in order to permit mounting of an additional six-pack 19 on each row despite limitations imposed by 'the mounting means (present in the refrigerator apparatus) for the lateral rods 11a and 11b of the lattice.

When the grating is spot welded to the lattice, current passes through rods 17 and 11a and also through the rod ends 10, 12 and 13 disposed between such lateral rods 17 and 11a. Thus, spot welds are formed or reformed between each of these elements. It is emphasized that the fact that rods 17 and Ila lie in the same vertical plane and are separated from each other by the rod ends I0, 12 and 13, creates an additional truss relationship adding much strength to the forward portion of the refrigerator shelf.

During spot welding of the rear portion of the shelf, current is passed through the extreme rear ends'of side rods and also through the rear lateral rod 18 of the grating. In the illustrated construction, as noted above, such extreme rear ends of slide rods 10 are cantilevered relative to the supporting lateral rod 11b of the lattice.

Front lateral rod 17 acts as a stop which prevents excessive forward movement of the foremost six-pack 19 in each row thereof. Thus, as soon as a six-pack is removed by a customer from the front end of the row, adjacent the door of the refrigerator, spring actuator means (next to be described) shift the remaining six-packs in the row forwardly until the next six-pack engages stop rod 17.

The spring actuator means comprise spring reels which may be constructed in accordance with one or more of US. Pat.

Nos. 2,304,l and 2,304,176. Each comprises a reel 20 (FIG. 7) mounted rotatably within a shallow and generally cup-shaped reel housing 21 which is suitably secured to a mounting plate 22, the latter having forward and rear ears or lugs 23 and 24. In addition, mounting plate 22 has downwardly extending flanges 26 FIGS. 5 and 7). A spiral spring is connected between reel 20 and the support therefor, and is adapted to rotate the reel in such direction as to wind thereon a cord indicated hereinafter.

The two lateral lattice rods 11 which are relatively adjacent the forward edge of the shelf, namely, those lateral rods 11 closest to front lateral rod 11a, are spaced apart a distance corresponding approximately to the length of mounting plate 22 so that such mounting plate may be nested therebetween. However, the longitudinal or slide rods 10 of the lattice are spaced apart a distance less than the width of the mounting plate 22, so that such mounting plate may be seated thereon in bridge relationship.

With the described construction, the mounting plate 22 having the reel housing 21 thereon may be rapidly mounted on the refrigerator shelf, and may be demounted rapidly when necessary for replacement or repair. Mounting is effected by bending one of the ears or lugs 23-24 upwardly, for example as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6 relative to FIG. 3, thus permitting the remaining lug 24 to be inserted upwardly into a position above one of the lateral rods 11. Thereafter, the plate 22 is pivoted clockwise (FIG. 6) about a horizontal axis, and upwardly bent lug 23 is bent downwardly as shown in solid lines in FIG. 6, which completes the mounting operation. The rear ends of flanges 26 then bear against the rearward one of the lateral rods 11 between which the mounting plate 22 is seated. It follows that the tension exerted is borne by such rearward lateral rod 11 and not by either of the lugs 23-24.

Each mounting plate 22 is positioned in such manner that cord 27 wound on the spring reel 20 may extend outwardly through an opening 28 (FIG. 6) in reel housing 21, such opening and the cord being generally midway between two rails 16 which guide each row of six-packs. A constant spring tension is (as indicated above) exerted on the cord 27 due to the operation of the spring-biased reel 20 within the housing 21.

The rear end of cord 27 is tied to a transverse actuating member 28, such actuating member being a channel, the open side of which faces downwardly. More specifically, cord 27 extends upwardly into the channel, beneath the forward lower edge thereof, and is then tied at 27a to the forward web 29 of the channel as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

The transverse actuating member 28 for each row is nested between the rail rods 16 for such row, and bears against the rear surface of the rearmost six-pack 19. The spring tension is caused to be such that, at least when the rails are properly lubricated as will be described, the six-packs will be actuated forwardly when the forwardmost six-pack is removed by a customer. During loading of the refrigerator shelf or rack, the channel members 28 are hooked over the rear lateral rod I8, thus facilitating mounting of the rows of six-packs by the stocker for the liquor store or supermarket.

When the forward flange 29 of the channel member 28 bears against the rearmost surface of the six-pack row, a substantial torque is created which tends to cause the channel member 28 to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6. Thus, the rear flange 30 of channel 28 is urged downwardly into contact with the slide rods 10 over which the channel is actuated. To provide an automatic lubricating and moisture-eliminating function, which is not dependent upon operator control, the lower edge of channel web 30 is bifurcated as shown at 31 in order to receive an elongated felt wiper pad 32. Pad 32 is impregnated with a suitable lubricant, for example a mixture of paraffin and graphite.

The paraffin and graphite is accordingly automatically wiped onto the slide rails 10 during forward actuation of channel 2% and the six-packs 19 disposed in advance thereof. This greatly minimizes friction and tends to prevent cold set and sticking despite the fact that the six-packs 19 may rest for considerable periods in one position on the slide rods 10. Prior to reloading of any shelf or row thereof, the operator slides the channel 28 rearwardly and this creates a wiping and moistureeliminating action relative to those portions of rail rods to the rear of the spring motors or actuators 21, etc. The danger of freeze-sticking is thus minimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF MANNER OF MOUNTING AND OPERATION, EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. l-7

The entire assembly is made at the factory to produce the self-feeding shelf shown in FIG. i. As indicated above, the shelf is sold as a replacement item for nonfeeding shelves in conventional refrigerators such as are employed in liquor stores and supermarkets. Replacement is effected by merely removing the conventional shelves and substituting the present feeding-type shelves, the end portions of lateral rods 11 and lib providing the mounting function in the refrigerator cabinets.

Should the shelf be excessively wide for the particular refrigerator, the installer merely cuts off the shelf portion for one of the rows, for example converting a three-row shelf to a two-row shelf. Because of the fact that there is no peripheral or perimeter frame, such cutting off is very simply effected by merely sawing through the shelf at positions relatively adjacent truss rod 13, for example, with the forward and rear lateral rods 11a and 11b being permitted to extend outwardly slightly in order to provide the mounting function indicated above.

It will thus be seen that the installer has great flexibility to work in the field, far from the factory, and that his problems relative to stocking and supplying customer demands are greatly minimized. The ability to be cut down to fit relatively narrow refrigerator doors is particularly important not only relative to the present embodiment but also relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11 and which will be described below.

After the replacement shelf is mounted in position, the installer or operator merely hooks the channels 28 over the rearmost lateral rod 18, loads six-packs (or other types of packs) 19 on the slide rods 10 in rows as described above, and in either single-deck or double-deck relationship. Channels 28 are then unhooked from rod 18 and permitted to bear against the rear ends of the rows of six-packs or the like. The front end of each row is then stopped by the lateral rod 17, so that no feeding occurs until after a customer removes the forward sixpack from each row.

in summary, therefore, the present invention provides a strong, economical, lightweight refrigerator shelf or rack which is a replacement item for conventional nonfeed racks and which may be rapidly mounted and adapted to fit various sizes of refrigerators. The racks may be disposed in parallel relationship, relatively close to each other, so that the owner of the liquor store or supermarket may store many more containers than would otherwise be the case. Such containers are attractively displayed to the customer at all times instead of being spaced away from the door as is the case with nonfeeding types of shelves.

To increase the attractiveness of the assembly, a snap-strip 33, formed as a plastic extrusion, is snapped over the front edge of the shelf or rack as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7. Stated more definitely, the strip 33 is snapped upwardly over the front lateral rod 11a and has an upper portion which extends upwardly in front of the lateral rod 17 and also the rod ends adjacent thereto.

EMBODIMENT OF FIGS. 8 11 FIGS. 8 et seq. show a refrigerator shelf or rack which is particularly adapted for single bottles of beer, soft drinks, milk, etc. but which may also be employed (with appropriate spacing between side rails) for six-packs or eight-packs of beverages or foods.

Except as will be specifically described, the second embodiment is identical to the first. Each element in the second embodiment which corresponds generally to an element in the first embodiment has been given the same reference numeral (or numeral-letter combination) except followed by the letter c in each instance.

The lattice composed of longitudinal rods 10c and lateral rods llc corresponds to the lattice of the first embodiment, except that the longitudinal or slide rods 10c are closer together in order to accommodate the narrow containers which are indicated at I in FIGS. 9 and 10 (namely, individual bottles, cans, etc.).

The grating composed of longitudinal rail or guide rods 16c and front and rear lateral rods 17c and 18c is different from the first embodiment since, instead of being relatively flat, the longitudinal or rail rods are bent downwardly at their ends in order that the central regions of the rails will be relatively far above the bottom lattice. Accordingly, such central regions of rail rods 16c are sufficiently high to prevent tipping over even of relatively tall bottles.

in the illustrated form, the rear lateral rod 18c is disposed in the same vertical plane as, and above, the rear lateral rod IIbc of the lattice, instead of being spaced rearwardly therefrom as in the first embodiment. It is to be understood, however, that the rearwardly extending, cantilever relationship shown at the right end of FIG. 1 may also be employed in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

' At a region adjacent the front edge of the shelf or rack, a lateral stop bar or rod 36 is spot welded to the bent portions of rods 16c. Rod 36 is sufficiently far above the slide rails to prevent forward tipping of the bottles or cans thereon in response to pressure exerted by the spring reels and associated actuators 28c.

Longitudinal truss rods 12c and 13c are provided similarly to the first embodiment, except that the rear ends of such truss rods are seated (and spot welded) between lateral rods 18c and 11b0, there being no need for a lateral truss rod corresponding to lateral truss rod 14 of the first embodiment in the illustrated form where there is no cantilevering relative to element ilbc.

The spring-reel assemblies 21c, etc., are mounted as described relative to the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment there are normally two spring-biased reels in each housing 220, one spring reel for each row. Thus, one cord 27c extends out from one side of each housing 21c, whereas another cord 270 extends outwardly from the other reel contained within such housing lit. The cords extend rearwardly to the actuators 28c adapted to bias the containers 19c forwardly into engagement with the stop rail 36 indicated above. Each of the actuators incorporates the combination lubricating and wiping means described relative to element 32 of the first embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 8-41 is manufactured similarly to the first embodiment, except for the added step that the grill formed by elements 160, 17c, and we is bent at each end subsequent to the spot welding operation. Such bending also stretches the central portions of rods 16c and conserves material. The prewelded and prebent combination the 13 We is then spot welded to the upper surfaces of slide rods 10c, 12c, and 13c in order to complete the assembly. The spot welding of lateral rods 17c and above rods lllbc and l lac creates strong truss relationships at the front and rear edges of the shelf.

We claim:

1. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises:

a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above all said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship;

truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said truss means including at least one longitudinal truss member extending beneath said lateral rods of said lattice;

a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said grating also including front and rear lateral members at least one of which is connected to said slide rods at regions substantially directly above one of said lateral rods of said lattice; and at least one end of said longitudinal truss member being disposed between said lateral rod and lateral member, a said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon.

2. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises:

a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship, the front and rear ones of said lateral rods in said lattice being heavy gauge and being adapted to mount the shelf in a refrigerator, portions of said slide rods of said lattice being cantilevered relative to said rear lateral rod thereof;

truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid; and

a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said grating including a rear lateral member secured to the cantilevered ends of said slide rods, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for fonvard sliding thereon.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said truss means comprise a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinal truss members extending beneath said lateral rods of said lattice, and in which said truss means further comprises a lateral truss member extending beneath the rearmost one of said lateral rods of said lattice and also beneath the rear ends of said longitudinal truss rods, whereby said lateral truss member and rearrnost lateral rod cooperate to create a truss relationship.

4. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises:

a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said slide rods and lateral rods of said lattice being interconnected to each other by means of electrical-resistance spot welding, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship,

truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said truss means including longitudinal and lateral truss rods extending beneath said lattice and spaced below corresponding longitudinal and lateral portions of said lattice, said truss rods being connected to said lattice by electrical-resistance spot welding; and

a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal rail rods connected at the ends thereof to lateral connector rods by electrical-resistance spot welding, the forward lateral connector rods of said grating being spot welded to the ends of said slide rods of said lattice by electrical-resistance spot welding and at points above such ends and directly above the forward lateral rod of said lattice, the rear lateral connector rod of said grating being connected to the rear ends of said slide rods by electrical-resistance spot welding, said rail rods of said grating being substantially parallel to said slide rods of said lattice and lying in a plane spaced only slightly above the plane of said slide rods of said lattice, said rail rods being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding.

5. A frameless shelf slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship, said longitudinal slide rods and lateral rods of said lattice being interconnected together by electrical-resistance spot welding;

truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said trussmeans comprising a plurality of longitudinal truss rods the ends of which are bent upwardly and respectively seated and electrically spot welded between forward and rear lateral lattice rods and the adjacent connector rods of a grating, the central regions of said truss rods extending below and being electricaily spot welded to said lateral rods of said lattice;

a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal rail rods bent downwardly at the ends thereof, said rail rods being interconnected at the downwardly bent forward and rear ends thereof by lateral connector rods electrically spot welded to said rail rods, the front one of said lateral connector rods of said grating being electrically spot welded to the forward ends of said slide rods at regions above the forward lateral rod of said lattice, the rear one of said lateral connector rods of said grating being electrically spot welded to the rear end portions of said slide rods at points above the rear one of said lateral rods of said lattice; and

sufficiently rail rods being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which an additional lateral rod is provided adjacent the bend portions at the forward ends of said rail rods of said grating and serves as a stop member preventing undesired forward feeding of containers arranged between said rail rods and said slide rods.

7. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises:

a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to sup port containers thereon in sliding relationship;

spring-reel actuator elements mounted beneath said lattice at the forward portion of the shelf, said actuator elements including cords which extend rearwardly to hook elements adapted to engage the rear end of a row of containers, said hook elements being adapted to hook over the rear edge of the shelf during loading of the shelf with containers; and

truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon, said guide or rail members being disposed on opposite sides of said cords.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said actuator elements are anchored to mounting plates having forward and rear ends or lugs thereon, each of said mounting plates being adapted to seat between adjacent ones of the lateral rods of said lattice at the forward portion of the shelf, each of said rnounting plates being adapted to seat below the longitudinal slide rods of said lattice, said ears being adapted to be mounted above said lateral rods of said lattice in order to mount the mounting plate and connected spring-reel element on said lattice.

9. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said hook elements connected to said cards have wiper and lubricator means thereon for automatic lubrication and wiping of said slide rods.

10. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises:

a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a' plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship;

a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon, and

a plurality of spring-reel actuating assemblies each including a mounting plate and a reel-containing housing mounted thereon, said mounting plate being adapted to seat beneath said lattice adjacent the forward edge of the shelf, said mounting plate being adapted to nest between adjacent lateral rods of said lattice, said mounting plate being adapted to seat below adjacent longitudinal slide rods of said lattice, said mounting plate having forward and rear ear portions adapted to seat between adjacent slide rods of said lattice and over adjacent lateral rods of said lattice, whereby said mounting plate and associated reel-containing housing may be readily mounted on said lattice by bending upwardly one of said ear portions and then bending the same downwardly, and springreel assemblies each including a cord which extends rearwardly to an actuator element adapted to seat against the rearmost container on said slide rods.

ll. A refrigerator shelf for storing beverage containers and feeding such containers forwardly automatically in response to removal of a container from the forward end of a row thereof, such shelf comprising horizontal support means adapted to support a plurality of containers in longitudinal rows, a plurality of spring-reel elements mounted on said support means and incorporating cords which extend rearwardly to regions respectively behind the rearmost containers on the various rows thereof, actuator means provided at the rear ends of said cords whereby to engage the rearmost containers on the various rows and actuate the same forwardly, and wiper means mounted on said actuator means and adapted to wipe along said support means in response to forward movement thereof as the containers are removed by the customers.

12. The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which said wiper means contain lubricant adapted to reduce the friction of said support means.

13. The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which each of said actuator means is channel shaped and is mounted on said support means with the open portion of the channel facing downwardly, in which said cord is connected to the front web of the channel, and in which said wiper means is connected to the rear web of the channel, the relationship being such that a torque is created causing downward pressing of said wiper means against said support means.

22 2 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Na. 3, Dated MarCh 16,

lnventoz-(s) John Klassen and Ora Lee Miner It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Column 6, line 70 (line 5 of claim 1), cancel "all"; line 75 (line of claim 1), after "1attice;' insert and Column 7, line 6 (line 16 of claim 1), cancel "and"; line 8 (line 18 of claim 1), cancel "a"; line 33 (line 2 of claim 3), canoe "comprise" and substitute comprises line 73 (last line of claim 4), after "sliding" and before the period insert therec Column 8, line (line 17 of claim 5) after "1attice;" insert and line 28 (line 29 of claim 5), after "lattice" cancel "and"; line 29 (line 30 of claim 5), cancel "sufficiently' (first occurrence) and substitute said line (line 13 of claim '7 after "containersf' cancel "and"; line 52 (line 15 of claim 7) after "rigid," insert and Signed and sealed this lhth day of December 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Pate 

1. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above all said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship; truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said truss means including at least one longitudinal truss member extending beneath said lateral rods of said lattice; a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said grating also including front and rear lateral members at least one of which is connected to said slide rods at regions substantially directly above one of said lateral rods of said lattice; and at least one end of said longitudinal truss member being disposed between said lateral rod and lateral member, a said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon.
 2. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship, the front and rear ones of said lateral rods in said lattice being heavy gauge and being adapted to mount the shelf in a refrigerator, portions of said slide rods of said lattice being cantilevered relative to said rear lateral rod thereof; truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid; and a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said grating including a rear lateral member secured to the cantilevered ends of said slide rods, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon.
 3. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which said truss means comprise a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinal truss members extending beneath said lateral rods of said lattice, and in which said truss means further comprises a lateral truss member extending beneath the rearmost one of said lateral rods of said lattice and also beneath the rear ends of said longitudinal truss rods, whereby said lateral truss member and rearmost lateral rod cooperate to create a truss relationship.
 4. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said slide rods and lateral rods of said lattice being interconnected to each other by means of electrical-resistance spot welding, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship, truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said truss means including longitudinal and lateral truss rods extending beneath said lattice and spaced below corresponding longitudinal and lateral portions of said lattice, said truss rods being connected to said lattice by electrical-resistance spot welding; and a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal rail rods connected at the ends thereof to lateral connector rods by electrical-resistance spot welding, the forward lateral connector rods of said grating being spot welded to the ends of said slide rods of said lattice by electrical-resistance spot welding and at points above such ends and directly above the forward lateral rod of said lattice, the rear lateral connector rod of said grating being connected to the rear ends of said slide rods by electrical-resistance spot welding, said rail rods of said grating being substantially parallel to said slide rods of said lattice and lying in a plane spaced only slightly above the plane of said slide rods of said lattice, said rail rods being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding.
 5. A frameless shelf slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship, said longitudinal slide rods and lateral rods of said lattice being interconnected together by electrical-resistance spot welding; truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, said truss means comprising a plurality of longitudinal truss rods the ends of which are bent upwardly and respectively seated and electrically spot welded between forward and rear lateral lattice rods and the adjacent connector rods of a grating, the central regions of said truss rods extending below and being electrically spot welded to said lateral rods of said lattice; a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal rail rods bent downwardly at the ends thereof, said rail rods being interconnected at the downwardly bent forward and rear ends thereof by lateral connector rods electrically spot welded to said rail rods, the front one of said lateral connector rods of said grating being electrically spot welded to the forward ends of said slide rods at regions above the forward lateral rod of said lattice, the rear one of said lateral connector rods of said grating being electrically spot welded to the rear end portions of said slide rods at points above the rear one of said lateral rods of said lattice; and sufficiently rail rods being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon.
 6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which an additional lateral rod is provided adjacent the bend portions at the forward ends of said rail rods of said grating and serves as a stop member preventing undesired forward feeding of containers arranged between said rail rods and said slide rods.
 7. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship; spring-reel actuator elements mounted beneath said lattice at the forward portion of the shelf, said actuator elements including cords which extend rearwardly to hook elements adapted to engage the rear end of a row of containers, said hook elements being adapted to hook over the rear edge of the shelf during loading of the shelf with containers; and truss means connected to said lattice to strengthen the same and make it more rigid, a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon, said guide or rail members being disposed on opposite sides of said cords.
 8. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said actuator elements are anchored to mounting plates having forward and rear ends or lugs thereon, each of said mounting plates being adapted to seat between adjacent ones of the lateral rods of said lattice at the forward portion of the shelf, each of said mounting plates being adapted to seat below the longitudinal slide rods of said lattice, said ears being adapted to be mounted above said lateral rods of said lattice in order to mount the mounting plate and connected spring-reel element on said lattice.
 9. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said hook elements connected to said cords have wiper and lubricator means thereon for automatic lubrication and wiping of said slide rods.
 10. A frameless shelf for slidably supporting containers in refrigerators, which comprises: a lattice formed of a plurality of longitudinal slide rods and a plurality of lateral rods, said longitudinal slide rods being disposed above said lateral rods and being adapted to support containers thereon in sliding relationship; a grating mounted above said lattice and including a plurality of longitudinal guide or rail members, said guide or rail members being spaced sufficiently far from each other to permit rows of containers to be disposed therebetween on said slide rods for forward sliding thereon, and a plurality of spring-reel actuating assemblies each including a mounting plate and a reel-containing housing mounted thereon, said mounting plate being adapted to seat beneath said lattice adjacent the forward edge of the shelf, said mounting plate being adapted to nest between adjacent lateral rods of said lattice, said mounting plate being adapted to seat below adjacent longitudinal slide rods of said lattice, said mounting plate having forward and rear ear portions adapted to seat between adjacent slide rods of said lattice and over adjacent lateral rods of said lattice, whereby said mounting plate and associated reel-containing housing may be readily mounted on said lattice by bending upwardly one of said ear portions and then bending the same downwardly, and spring-reel assemblies each including a cord which eXtends rearwardly to an actuator element adapted to seat against the rearmost container on said slide rods.
 11. A refrigerator shelf for storing beverage containers and feeding such containers forwardly automatically in response to removal of a container from the forward end of a row thereof, such shelf comprising horizontal support means adapted to support a plurality of containers in longitudinal rows, a plurality of spring-reel elements mounted on said support means and incorporating cords which extend rearwardly to regions respectively behind the rearmost containers on the various rows thereof, actuator means provided at the rear ends of said cords whereby to engage the rearmost containers on the various rows and actuate the same forwardly, and wiper means mounted on said actuator means and adapted to wipe along said support means in response to forward movement thereof as the containers are removed by the customers.
 12. The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which said wiper means contain lubricant adapted to reduce the friction of said support means.
 13. The invention as claimed in claim 11, in which each of said actuator means is channel shaped and is mounted on said support means with the open portion of the channel facing downwardly, in which said cord is connected to the front web of the channel, and in which said wiper means is connected to the rear web of the channel, the relationship being such that a torque is created causing downward pressing of said wiper means against said support means. 